Well if Real's asking price is anything to go by then I doubt Newcastle have â‚¬25 million for one player despite him being worth every cent and then some. Seems like Liverpool would be willing to pay anything between â‚¬18 and â‚¬20 million.

With it looking increasingly difficult to get Owen I'm surprised Souness hasn't put in an offer for Baros, he'd definitely be a good signing for us because in Shearer he'd have the ideal partner, just like Koller is for him with the Czechs.

It's tough to question a man who's led his team to the European Cup but you would wonder why he's so reluctant to work with Michael Owen, firstly by letting him go for peanuts and now the refusal to resign him. Can't understand it myself espeically when he's signed such a mediocre player like Crouch.

Nothing really seems to be happening with Owen, wouldn't be at all surprised if he ends up staying at Madrid, Lyon would certainly have been an interesting move, linking up with Houllier again, Newcastle is obviously the best option for him . One thing though with all the journalists and pundits saying that Owen must be playing first team football in world cup year seems a bit odd to me esepcially considering that the players who performed at Euro 2004 were the ones who weren't playing week in week out, Rooney, Baros, Charisteas, Dellas etc.

Originally posted by harrison2468@Aug 23 2005, 06:11 PMI heard Cisse might be moving (possibly on loan). Any1 else heard this? A bit unfir on a bloke who hasn't yet had a major chance to show his skill.

Originally posted by BBC SportOwen ready for Premiership return
Real Madrid's Michael Owen wants to return to Liverpool but is prepared to spend this season on loan at Newcastle if a move to Anfield cannot be agreed.

Madrid president Florentino Perez has promised to help the 25-year-old England forward return home.

"I said that my ideal situation was to start the season in the Real Madrid team and if not I would prefer to return to Liverpool," Owen said.

"If the transfer cannot be finalised in time I have agreed to go to Newcastle."

Owen spent much of his first season at the Bernabeu coming off the bench and the arrivals of Brazilian strikers Robinho and Julio Baptista this summer have seen him slip further down the pecking order.

The former Liverpool star had earlier indicated he was willing to stay and fight for his place, but has now had a change of heart.

He added: "I need to be playing regularly in World Cup year.

"I am most grateful to Senor Perez for his personal concern about my career. I have really enjoyed being part of his Real Madrid team."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insists his main priority is to sign a centre-back and already has Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes and Peter Crouch as his frontline strikers.

But Owen's return to Anfield would be welcomed by Liverpool fans, having scored 158 goals in 297 games in his first spell at the club.

Owen scored 16 goals for Real last season despite being used primarily as a substitute.

On Tuesday Everton manager David Moyes revealed his club had spoken to Owen's representatives, but the player rejected a move to Goodison Park.

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I'm not sure how Benitez will react to Owen trying to force his hand, if Benitez had wanted Owen badly enough in the first place he would have made sure a new deal was signed before he went to Madrid.

This is developping into a bit of a farce, they should all just get it sorted once and for all.